EFCC ARRAIGNS MAN FOR ALLEGEDLY IMPERSONATING PRESIDENTIAL AIDE TO DEFRAUD FIRMS OF N25M

Read Time:1 Minute, 48 Second

By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned one Igoin Peter before the Federal High Court in Abuja over an alleged N25 million fraud involving impersonation and obtaining money under false pretences.

Peter was arraigned before Justice Obiora Egwuatu on a four-count charge bordering on alleged impersonation and fraud.

The anti-graft agency disclosed the development in a statement shared on its X handle on Tuesday.

According to the EFCC, the defendant allegedly posed as a Special Adviser to the President on ICT Development and Digital Innovation and used the false claim to obtain funds from companies for a purported cryptocurrency exchange operational licence.

One of the charges stated that Peter allegedly obtained N25,941,787 from Dontown Assets Limited through the account of Smartz Skyward Energy Limited domiciled with Zenith Bank between August 30, 2024, and October 30, 2025.

The EFCC alleged that he falsely represented himself as a presidential aide and claimed the money would be used to secure a cryptocurrency exchange licence.

Another count alleged that the defendant obtained an additional N19,806,500 from Jeriod Limited between September 5, 2024, and October 10, 2025, under similar pretences.

The commission said the offences contravened provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

Peter pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read before the court.

Following his plea, prosecution counsel, Christopher Mshelia, requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in Kuje Correctional Centre pending trial.

Justice Egwuatu subsequently granted the defendant bail in the sum of N400 million with two sureties in like sum.

The court ruled that both sureties must reside in Abuja, while one must be a property owner who would provide property documents, passport photographs and valid means of identification.

The second surety, according to the court, must be a civil servant on Grade Level 15 and above with official identification and passport photographs.

The judge further ordered that the defendant be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.

The matter was adjourned till July 16, 2026, for commencement of trial.